Community spirit strong as selfless volunteers step up for awards
Community spirit is strong on the Redlands Coast as volunteers accept Australia Day Awards for everything from restoring the Jandai indigenous language to weaving stars to end violence.
Redlands Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Redlands Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
MORE than a million stars shone down on the Redlands Coast as community members gathered to appreciate the tireless dedication of recipients of Redland City Council’s 2019 Australia Day Awards.
Citizen of the Year Maryann Talia Pau was acknowledged for her tireless work in creating awareness around the destructive effects of violence.
Founder of the One Million Stars to End Violence Campaign, she encouraged people to help weave stars to pledge an end to violence in society.
Partnering with the Queensland Government from 2016, Ms Talia Pau created an installation at the Museum of Brisbane in the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
While many considered her pledge to be a pipe dream, she significantly passed her initial goal and 2.4 million stars were woven by completion of the project.
Redlands Coast Senior Citizen of the Year was awarded to Rita Morris, the driving force behind the launch of disability services provider Myhorizon Inc.
Redland City Counil Mayor Karen Williams said Myhorizon each year empowered more than 2000 people to reach their potential.
“Since this organisation began in 1981, Myhorizon has expanded to what is now one of Queensland’s leading not-for-profit disability services organisations,” she said.
The group runs centres at Capalaba and Wynnum, where a refurbished lifestyle centre opened in Adam St late last year – on the former site of Wynnum Manly Leagues Bowls Club.
FOLLOW REDLANDS COMMUNITY NEWS
Young Citizen of the Year Madina Mohmood received recognition for her support of cultural diversity within the community.
She helped found the Afghan Student Association and the UQ Muslimah Student Society, while also securing a state leadership position with World Vision Australia’s Youth movement.
Awards were announced in a total of nine categories with council receiving 37 nominations.
Additional recipients were: Local Hero Award, Noel Walker; Community Organisation Award, Running Wild – Youth Conservation Culture Inc; Cultural Award, ROCKIT Productions; Reconciliation Award, Joshua Walker; Environment and Sustainability Award (joint winners), Amy Glade, and Redlands After-hours Wildlife Service; Sports Award (joint winners), Adam Pryde, and Cleveland Air Magic – Gold Fire Team.
Cr Williams said that every nominee and award winner could be justifiably proud of the outstanding and lasting contributions they had made to the community.
“Redlands Coast is fortunate to have so many people with such generosity of spirit and desire to help others,” she said.
“Selecting our Australia Day Citizens of the Year is never an easy task due to the quality of the many people nominated. This year, 37 people were nominated across the nine awards categories, with some people being nominated in more than one category.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow judges – Dr Robert Anderson, Dr Lyn Bishop and Col Sutcliffe – for their time and insight in helping decide this year’s worthy winners.
“In my view, what I have seen in this year’s nominations epitomises that which makes a ‘Great Australian’ – a community member who leads and inspires through example.
“There are some amazing people here who are actively working to help make Redlands Coast a better place and it is fitting that their quiet achievements be properly acknowledged.”
FULL LIST OF FINALISTS
Environment and Sustainability Award
Amy Glade: A tireless volunteer for many community groups and advocate for the protection of the local environment.
Redlands After-hours Wildlife Ambulance (RAWA): A voluntary program operating a 24/7 response to calls about sick, injured or orphaned wildlife across Redlands Coast.
Cultural Award
Joshua Walker: Contributes greatly to the Aboriginal culture of Redlands Coast through talks, song and dance.
ROCKIT Productions: A local production company and educator fostering aspiring young performers in musical theatre.
Sports Award
Ben Luscombe: Known for coaching future sports stars in triathlon and running, he has earned podium placements at state athletic events.
Cleveland Air Magic – Gold Fire Team: This team has achieved international championship status multiple times with each team member holding top three individual and overall team world titles.
Adam Pryde: Captain of Redlands Crushers Brisbane Metro Championships, Pryde is also a local high school teacher who runs a touch football academy and assists with junior development programs.
Local Hero Award
Arran Hansen: Has achieved 10 years service with the Redlands SES, received commendations for his radio communications with field teams and is a Redland Bay Coastguard volunteer.
Judy Hines: A member of the Point Lookout Bushcare Group since it began in 1997, Ms Hines has been influential in environmental remediation at Point Lookout.
Noel Walker: Lamb Island Rural Fire Brigade first officer Noel Walker grew the brigade to 30 volunteers and was instrumental in taking it into the folds of the Queensland Ambulance Service support system.
Community Organisation Award
Meals on Wheels, Victoria Point/Redland Bay: The group includes people with disabilities undertaking work experience.
Running Wild - Youth Conservation Culture Inc: Island-based community programs offering traineeships to local, disadvantaged youth.
The Cage Youth Foundation: Supporting Redlands Coast for more than 17 years, it is the lead agency for the Redlands Local Drug Addiction Team and is known as an avid campaigner for awareness, prevention and support programs.
Reconciliation Award
COOEE Indigenous Family and Community Education Centre: a not-for-profit indigenous group providing cultural support and education while running multiple programs to keep students engaged with school.
Joshua Walker: Contributes greatly to restoring Jandai – the language of Quandamooka Country.
Young Citizen of the Year Award
Layne Utz: After school each day Layne collects rubbish from local streets, parks and waterways, while also volunteering as an online moderator for 50 hours a month to ensure a Minecraft server is free of bullying and harassment.
Madina Mohmood: Helping to found the Afghan Student Association and the UQ Muslimah Student Society, Madina secured a state leadership position with World Vision Australia’s Youth movement.
Will Morris: Mentoring and encouraging young sports people, Will volunteers his time widely across community and sports pursuits.
Senior Citizen of the Year Award
Rita Morris: Driving force behind the establishment of Myhorizon Inc (formerly H.A.R.D), a not-for-profit disability services organisation.
Amy Glade: Recognising the importance of sustaining a healthy Redlands Coast environment, Ms Glade is a tireless community volunteer.
Citizen of the Year Award
Elizabeth Venzin: Established The Mindshift Foundation in 2013 and has campaigned governments for greater resourcing of preventive mental health programs.
Lee-anne McCartney: Has compassionately served grieving families for more than 20 years and last year offered the community an alternative in funeral services.
Linda Grieve: A founding director of The Cage Youth Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that delivers training, counselling and support programs, Ms Grieve has been instrumental in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Redlands Coast community.
Maryann Talia Pau: Started the One Million Stars to End Violence Campaign, significantly surpassing her initial goal.
‘A 20-tonne gum tree fell on our home because council, body corp did nothing’
A family has been forced to couch surf after a 32-metre tall gum tree crashed through the roof “like a freight train” after a bitter five-year dispute over who owned the tree.
Nuisance flying-fox colony funds for councils as temps soar
Seven councils will receive extra state funding to manage problem flying-fox roosts, as complaints from residents escalate about the bats’ noise, overpowering stench, and increased health hazards.